California Adoption Laws Page5

Adoption Laws in California Page5

State haven laws for Infants

• Infant age : Statute: Penal Code - § 271.5
  • 72 hours or younger child.

• Who may relinquish the infant : Statute: Penal Code - § 271.5
  • A person who have lawful custody.
  • Parents of the infant.

• Who may receive the infant : Statute: Penal Code - § 271.5
  • A medical provider.
  • Law enforcement agency.

• Responsibilities of the safe haven provider : Statute: Health & Safety Code - § 1255.7
  • Place coded ankle bracelet on the child for identification and give same matching bracelet to the parent
  • Give medical questionnaire to the parents
  • Notify child protective services
  • Provision of medical care

• Immunity for provider : Statute: Health & Safety Code - § 1255.7 Yes.

• Protection for relinquishing parent : Statute: Penal Code - § 271.5
  • Any person may not be prosecuted for desertion, abandonment, failure to provide and for leaving an infant with a safe haven provider.

• Effect on the parental rights : Statute: Health & Safety Code - § 1255.7
  • The parent may reclaim the child in 14 days.
  • The department will file dependency petition.